ITHACA, N.Y. —  The Cornell University men's polo team and the Denver Polo Club went down to the wire at the Oxley Equestrian Center Saturday evening. The Big Red, which trailed with time running out in the contest, prevailed 18-16 with some late heroics, improving to 2-0 on the season. 

Graduate senior Patricio Fraga-Errecart led the Big Red and tied his career best with seven goals. Sophomore Benito Jaramillo Samper had four, including the game-winner in the final minute, and junior Christian Finlay had two. 

"We were thrilled to welcome 2005 Men's National Championship team member Jeff Markle back to Oxley along with two of his current Denver Polo Club teammates (John Hardee and Craig Russell) to challenge our guys in this early season matchup," Anthony Condo, the Peter B. Orthwein '68 Head Coach of Polo, said. "They were a talented, smart, and savvy arena team and they really tested our resolve this evening."

The Denver Polo Club held a 16-13 lead in the second half before Cornell started to cut into the deficit, eventually tying the score at 16 with 40 seconds remaining. The tie didn't last long. 

Jaramillo Samper, one of the Big Red's key returners from last season's 11-4 team, scored a two-point goal with 15 seconds remaining, securing the back-and-forth contest for the Big Red. 

"Our starting three (Patricio Fraga-Errecart, Benito Jaramillo, and Christian Finlay) played some really fantastic arena polo tonight, and just when I thought the chips might be stacked against us late in the game being down 16-13, the guys dug down deep and found a way to win," Condo said. "I do believe this bodes well for us going forward."

The Big Red has now started 2-0 in five consecutive seasons. 

Up Next: 

Cornell will participate in the University of Virginia's fall tournament from Oct. 25-29.